| SIRS Mandarin, Inc. has announced that the Mandarin M3 library automation
system recently upgraded its M3 Windows OPAC to include patron access to
personal account information, enhanced tagging, sorting capabilities, and
more.
My Account is a new Windows OPAC feature that enables patrons to view
a detailed list of their current and previous library transactions as well
as personal information. According to the announcement, My Account makes
it easy for them to stay abreast of the items they have borrowed in the
past and the materials they presently have on loan. Patrons can access
their account information by means of their patron bar code and an optional
password, both assigned by library staff.
Also new to the OPAC is an index browse that allows patrons to browse
a library’s entire collection from the Standard Search Screen. They can
search for items by author, title, or subject. The index browse also helps
patrons with the proper spelling of items.
Librarians are now able to configure a variety of functions to improve
the display of their collection via the Windows OPAC.A configurable default
Sort option on the search results screen automatically sorts patron searches
using a preselected field, such as call number, author, or title. The OPAC
allows librarians to make changes to the default font size and style of
the record display. Patrons can also make changes to the font size to suit
their reading and printing needs.
Librarians can customize the Holdings Panel on the Record Details Screen
to view selected fields. In addition, a new template lets librarians customize
their library name, hours of operation, schedule, and miscellaneous notes
in the Bulletin Board.
The Windows OPAC now features a Tag All option that allows patrons to
tag every item returned from a particular search with one mouse click.
Tagging is a convenient way for librarians and patrons to compile lists
of bibliographies for printing, saving, or for transfer to the M3 Bookbag.
Another new feature lets patrons save their search results or Bookbag to
a text file for future use.
According to the company, Mandarin M3 is a flexible and powerful library
automation system suitable for school, academic, public, and special libraries.
M3 incorporates a search engine specifically designed to search MARC records
and offers a variety of features, including the following:
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32-bit client/server architecture with full Windows functionality
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Networkable software with unlimited site licensing
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Multilingual OPAC (English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian)
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Advanced cataloging and circulation features
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Inventory module
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Report Tool
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Serials and Acquisitions modules
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Union Catalogs and hosting services
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Z39.50 Server and BookWhere 2000 Z39.50 Client software
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Web Gateway OPACs for adults and children
Mandarin M3 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, and NT. SIRS Mandarin
also offers retrospective conversion services, hardware, training, educational
users’ group meetings, and 24/7 technical support.
Source: SIRS Mandarin, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, 561/994-0079;
http://www.sirs.com. |
